Is Ziontown safe?
Henrico, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Ziontown as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Ziontown
“Go. Ziontown is a quiet, historic residential community in Henrico County's Near West End that offers a very safe and relaxed environment. Visitors will encounter minimal violent crime, though basic property awareness is advised near surrounding commercial arterials.”
About the area
Ziontown is an established, historic residential enclave situated just north of Henrico's suburban corridors near Broad Street and Horsepen Road. It features single-family homes, mature trees, and a peaceful neighborhood feel while remaining close to premier suburban dining and shopping. The area is predominantly residential and serves primarily as a tranquil base rather than a bustling tourist spot.
- Suburban Residential
- Historic Roots
- Quiet & Peaceful
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Ziontown
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 44/100
There is no RVA Bike Share station in the immediate area, and dedicated bike lanes are scarce, meaning cycling is largely limited to low-speed residential streets.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates than Richmond metro averages
- Stable residential neighborhood with high homeownership and established community roots
- Convenient access to major Henrico commercial hubs, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities
Cons
- Spillover property crime and retail theft along adjacent commercial thoroughfares like West Broad Street
- Lack of continuous sidewalk infrastructure throughout the interior residential streets
- Automobile dependency for most daily errands and dining
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within the residential streets of Ziontown, with only occasional individuals observed near major commercial intersections along Broad Street.
What Ziontown is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with locals walking dogs or commuting along lightly trafficked residential roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and family-friendly, though traffic increases along border roads like Horsepen and Broad.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential atmosphere where standard personal awareness is adequate.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic and minimal street activity; exceptionally quiet and generally safe.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by GRTC. The GRTC Pulse BRT western terminus at Willow Lawn is approximately 1.5 miles east, and local bus routes like Route 19 operate along West Broad Street.
Free, ample private driveway and street parking is available throughout the residential neighborhood; commercial centers nearby offer large, free surface parking lots.
Things to do in Ziontown
- Visit the historic Zion Baptist Church, an anchor of the community since the late 19th century
- Spend an afternoon outdoors walking the wooded trails at nearby Cheswick Park
- Explore the extensive dining and shopping options along the West Broad Street corridor
Local favorites
- Mekong Restaurant · Vietnamese Restaurant & Beer Bar · 4.6★ (2340)Renowned local staple offering classic Vietnamese dishes and a nationally acclaimed craft beer selection.
- Pho So 1 · Vietnamese Restaurant · 4.5★ (1120)Casual, strip-mall eatery serving hearty noodle soups, vermicelli bowls, and bubble teas.
- Gelati Celesti Ice Cream · Ice Cream Shop · 4.8★ (1450)Beloved local scoop shop serving rich, handcrafted Italian-style ice cream in rotating flavors.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.